The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
(Editor's notes: The $3,000 cap refers to the maximum amount of money that some, but not all, cottage insurance policies will reimburse the local fire department in the event of a blaze. This cap can be changed by the policy holder. The figure of $5,215 refers to the amount of money the City of Flin Flon says is owed to it as a result of outlying fires where the victim's insurance did not cover the full cost of dousing the blazes.) Trevor Miller If fire insurance isn't covering actual costs, why is city council, along with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, not addressing the shortfall with provincial public insurance? Are Flin Flon's expenses significantly higher than average, while other municipalities are able to fund their departments' operations in outlying areas within the $3,000 cap, or is the cap too low and in need of an increase? For the mayor and council to be making vague public threats, I would hope that this matter has been thoroughly pursued, rather than what looks like picking on payers who might be more sensitive to bully tactics. Ken Mansell This one is way too hot to handle and it is going to take more than a fire truck to put out this blaze. A trip to town can get almost anything without paying taxes, except fire protection, and the city knows it. Insurance premiums are likely to reflect the absence of any professional fire protection and adjust rates accordingly. If cabin owners are willing to take a chance, it could be an expensive way to avoid city services. Denny Hyndman The city services should remain in the city limits until the province funds differently. I think this is a no-brainer. Right now the only concern of the city is to recover $5,215. There are more than one cottage association in our area with many members having no delusions of timely services anyway. No one has bought outlying homes to say, 'WHAT?! No fire truck?!! We're outta here!!' Reportedly, both association members and the province are willing to negotiate as well as negotiate with the city from that point. But not everyone who belongs to the cottage associations lives in our area year-round and this could be a reason for delays.
